UN lifts ban

LONDON - The United Nations has reversed its decision to ban 16 human rights organisations from an international conference, writes Emma Daly. They were allegedly banned because of complaints from governments criticised by the groups.

Jasdev Singh Rai, director of the Sikh Human Rights Group, based in Southall, Middlesex, said the organisers of the UN conference, which starts in Vienna tomorrow, said yesterday that his group could send a delegation. Having withdrawn an earlier invitation, the UN told Dr Rai it had decided that his submission complied with the rules after all.

The change of heart appears to have come after Britain, the United States and Canada protested to the UN.